New Delhi (India), 1st May 2023: Alibaba founder Jack Ma has begun a lecturing position in Japan, as the Chinese entrepreneur seeks to reclaim a public image after largely disappearing from view amid Beijing’s digital crackdown.
Ma will begin working as a visiting professor at Tokyo College on May 1 and will conduct research projects in sustainable agriculture and food production, as well as provide entrepreneurial courses.
The dynamic entrepreneur was China’s most well-known business leader, giving free-wheeling interviews to global media. However, he stepped back from the spotlight after his criticism of Chinese regulators resulted in the cancellation of Ant Group, Alibaba’s fintech affiliate, from a $37 billion initial public offering in late 2020.
The billionaire’s appointment at Tokyo College is a rare public declaration of his commitments outside of China. According to the Financial Times, Ma spent much of last year in central Tokyo, keeping public activities to a minimal as China tackled Covid-19 breakouts with rigorous lockdown measures.
The suspension of the Ant IPO triggered a spate of regulatory actions against the country’s top digital behemoths, including a record $2.8 billion fine against Alibaba for anti-competitive activities.
In an effort to boost investor and entrepreneurial confidence, Beijing has issued a series of public announcements in recent months indicating that regulatory difficulties with the internet sector have been overcome.
According to Bloomberg News, Chinese authorities attempted to encourage Ma to return to the mainland and assist demonstrate government support for the business community. Ma, on the other hand, elected to remain abroad, claiming that he has withdrew from his businesses in order to focus on agricultural technology research.
